I decided to jump in on a strongman competition after my buddy Ethan told me he was going to go for it, the USS North Carolina State Championships, held at Clayton Fitness and led by Chris Kaufmann.

It was the most fun I’ve ever had competing. Much less tension and stress compared to a powerlifting meet and I made some PRs with the deadlift (although I could have gone heavier), and axel C&P, squat. I had bad times with the farmers keg medley and with the stones (don’t ever catch a stone…just don’t follow any of my form, it was horrible form and caused a partial bicep tear). Learned a lot and will most likely be back next year, although probably not as a novice.

I missed first place by half a point in the novice heavyweight division and still consider it a win all things being equal. Thanks to Ethan McElroy for the programming, check out him for programming powerlifting, strength, or strongman at ethan@ethanmcelroy.com. Thanks also to Chris Kaufmann for putting on a great meet.